Wall decorative object hanger

ABSTRACT

A hanger comprises a planar surface spanning a horizontal width. An adhesive layer is configured horizontally along an upper edge of a first side of the planar surface and is attachable to the vertical surface. A receptacle is configured below the planar surface, and is fitted to receive therein a head of a hanging adaptor below a second side of the planar surface that is opposite the first side. When the head is contained within the receptacle, the hanging adaptor is centered along the horizontal width of the planar surface. Elongated panels extend between the planar surface and the receptacle and are configured to restrain a rim of the head of the hanging adaptor, such that a lateral movement of the hanging adaptor is bounded by the one or more elongated panels. A horizontal width of the receptacle is narrower than the horizontal width spanned by the planar surface.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/019,452 filed on May 4, 2020,the contents of which are all incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein in their entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a systemfor hanging an object onto a vertical surface, and in particular, butnot exclusively, to a hanger with a planar surface and a receptaclebelow the planar surface having a horizontal width narrower than thehorizontal width spanned by the planar surface.

Systems for hanging objects, such as picture frames, onto verticalsurfaces, such as walls, are generally known. In one common system, anail is driven diagonally into a wall, and a hook is hung on the nail.The picture frame is then mounted onto the hook, either from the topedge of the picture frame, or from a wire that is stretched across thepicture frame. This system poses various challenges to the unskilleduser. For example the user may require professional assistance toinstall the wire on the picture frame, or to ensure that the picture islevel when hung on the hook. In addition, the attachment mechanism maydamage the wall or wallpaper permanently.

Other known systems for hanging picture frames onto walls incorporatetwo inter-fitting components. A first component is attached to the wall.The first component includes a receptacle. The second component isattached to the picture frame, and includes a protrusion or lug whichfits into the receptacle of the first component. In some such systems,the first component includes a guide channel with tapering edges. Thesecond component naturally seats within the first component, and hangssubstantially free of the wall. As a result, the picture frame isleveled when the second component is seated within the receptacle of thefirst component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the above-described systems with two inter-fitting components, thecomponent that is attached to the wall is typically sized to beapproximately the same horizontal width as the protrusion or lugattached to the picture frame. As a result, the weight of the pictureframe exerts a substantial vertical force on the wall component. Toensure that the wall component is securely attached to the wall, it isoften necessary to attach the wall component to the wall with apermanent fixture, such as one or more countersunk screws. Orienting andattaching the screws, in turn, increases the complexity of theinstallation process for the unskilled user. In the event that anadhesive is used, in order to ensure that the adhesive remains adheredto the wall, it is necessary to either use an extremely strong adhesive,or to apply adhesive along a large vertical dimension of the wallcomponent. This adhesive could damage the wall when removed.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide ahanging mechanism that is intuitive to install, and which isappropriately dimensioned to allow for attachment to a wall with aremovable adhesive that does not damage the wall. It is a further objectof the present invention to provide a hanging mechanism which allows theobject hung from the hanging mechanism to hang freely from the wall,thus allowing the object to be levelled even while it is hanging on thewall.

According to a first aspect, a hanger comprises a planar surfacespanning a horizontal width. An adhesive layer is configuredhorizontally along an upper edge of a first side of the planar surfaceand is attachable to the vertical surface. A receptacle is configuredbelow the planar surface, and is fitted to receive therein a head of ahanging adaptor below a second side of the planar surface that isopposite the first side. When the head is contained within thereceptacle, the hanging adaptor is centered along the horizontal widthof the planar surface. One or more elongated panels extend between theplanar surface and the receptacle and are configured to restrain a rimof the head of the hanging adaptor, such that a lateral movement of thehanging adaptor is bounded by the one or more elongated panels. Ahorizontal width of the receptacle is narrower than the horizontal widthspanned by the planar surface.

An advantage of the hanger according to the first aspect is that theadhesive extends along the relatively longer horizontal width of theupper edge. The wide and high geometry of the supporting adhesivecompared to the hanging adaptor ensures that there is sufficientadhesive to support the weight of a decorative object attached to thehanging adaptor, without requiring an overly strong adhesive that willdamage the wall. Due to the large surface area of the adhesive, a largeitem may be hung with even a low-peel adhesive.

In addition, the elongated panels assist in the attachment of thehanging adapter to the hanger by providing a guiding track for loweringthe head of the hanging adapter into the receptacle. In addition, thehead of the hanging adaptor rests in the receptacle free of the planarsurface, allowing a decorative object attached to the hanging adaptor tobe levelled while hanging.

In another implementation according to the first aspect, the one or moreelongated panels comprise two panels arranged in a tapering fashion soas to define a channel that narrows between the planar surface and thereceptacle. The tapering channel forms a guiding track that allows auser to intuitively lower the head of the hanging adaptor into thereceptacle without requiring precise alignment of the hanging adaptorand the hanger.

In another implementation according to the first aspect, a tab formanual engagement is configured on a lower surface of the hanger belowthe receptacle. The tab provides a surface for a user to grasp whenattaching the hanger to the vertical surface, or when removing thehanger from the vertical surface. In particular, when removing thehanger from the vertical surface, the user can raise the tab in anoutward and upward direction, allowing for the adhesive to peelgradually off of the vertical surface, which reduces potential damage tothe vertical surface.

In another implementation according to the first aspect, the horizontalwidth of the planar surface is at least twice as wide as the horizontalwidth of the receptacle. Advantageously, this width ensures that thereis sufficient adhesive across the horizontal width to support adecorative object, without requiring the adhesive to be permanent.

In another implementation according to the first aspect, a decorativeblock hanging system comprises the hanger according to the first aspect,and a decorative block having the hanging adaptor attached thereto at ahorizontally centered position, such that when the head of the hangingadaptor is received within the receptacle, the decorative block isalignable to be leveled with respect to the vertical surface.Advantageously, the a user is able to level the decorative blockregardless of whether the hanger is hung level, because the decorativeblock is suspended free of the vertical surface.

Optionally, the head of the hanging adaptor is button shaped.Advantageously, the button-shaped adapter is easily rotatable within thereceptacle, to permit the adjustment of the alignment of the decorativeblock after it is hung.

According to a second aspect, a method is disclosed. The methodcomprises adhering an adhesive layer of a hanger to a vertical surface.The hanger comprises a planar surface spanning a horizontal width, withthe adhesive layer configured horizontally along an upper edge of thefirst side of the planar surface. A receptacle is configured below thesecond side of the planar surface, and is fitted to receive therein ahead of a hanging adaptor below a second side of the planar surface thatis opposite the first side. When the head is contained within thereceptacle, the hanging adaptor is centered along the horizontal widthof the planar surface. One or more elongated panels is mounted torestrain a rim of the head of the hanging adaptor, such that a lateralmovement of the hanging adaptor is bounded by the one or more elongatedpanels. A horizontal width of the receptacle is narrower than thehorizontal width spanned by the planar surface. The method furthercomprises hanging the head of the hanging adaptor within the receptacle.

An advantage of the method according to the second aspect is that theadhesive that is adhered to the vertical surface extends along therelatively longer horizontal width of the upper edge of the hanger. Thehigh and wide geometry of the supporting adhesive compared to thehanging adaptor ensures that there is sufficient adhesive to support theweight of a decorative object attached to the hanging adaptor, withoutrequiring an overly strong adhesive that will damage the wall. Due tothe large surface area of the adhesive, a large item may be hung witheven a low-peel adhesive.

In addition, the elongated panels assist in the attachment of thehanging adapter to the hanger by providing a guiding track for loweringthe head of the hanging adapter into the receptacle. In addition, thehead of the hanging adaptor rests in the receptacle free of the planarsurface, allowing a decorative object attached to the hanging adaptor tobe levelled while hanging.

In another implementation according to the second aspect, the one ormore elongated panels comprise two panels arranged in a tapering fashionso as to define a channel that narrows between the planar surface andthe receptacle, and the hanging step comprises lowering the head of thehanging adaptor between the two panels. The tapering channel forms aguiding track that allows a user to intuitively lower the head of thehanging adaptor into the receptacle without requiring precise alignmentof the hanging adaptor and the hanger.

In another implementation according to the second aspect, the hangercomprises a tab for manual engagement configured on a lower surface ofthe hanger below the receptacle, and the method further comprisesgrasping the tab, raising the hanger element while grasping the tab, andthereby peeling the adhesive layer of the hanger element from thevertical surface. Advantageously, when removing the hanger from thevertical surface, the user can raise the tab in an outward and upwarddirection, allowing for the adhesive to peel gradually off of thevertical surface, which reduces potential damage to the verticalsurface.

In another implementation according to the second aspect, the horizontalwidth of the planar surface is at least twice as wide as the horizontalwidth of the receptacle. Advantageously, this width ensures that thereis sufficient adhesive across the horizontal width to support adecorative object, without requiring the adhesive to be permanent.

In another implementation according to the second aspect, the hangingadaptor is attached to the decorative block at a horizontally centeredposition of the decorative block, such that, when the head of thehanging adaptor is received within the receptacle, the decorative blockis alignable to be leveled with respect to the vertical surface, and themethod further comprises levelling the decorative block. Advantageously,a user is able to level the decorative block regardless of whether thehanger is hung level, because the decorative block is suspended free ofthe vertical surface.

In another implementation according to the second aspect, the head ofthe hanging adaptor is button-shaped. Advantageously, the button-shapedadapter is easily rotatable within the receptacle, to permit adjustmentof the alignment of the decorative block after it is hung.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specificreference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that theparticulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrativediscussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, thedescription taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled inthe art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a left perspective view of a hanger, according to embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the hanger of FIG. 1 with a head of ahanging adaptor opposite a planar surface, according to embodiments ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hanger of FIG. 2, according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a left perspective view of a back side of the hanger of FIG.1, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the hanger of FIG. 1 with a head of ahanging adaptor within a receptacle, according to embodiments of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the hanger of FIG. 5, according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the hanger of FIG. 5, according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a depiction of a hanging system including the hanger of FIG. 1and a decorative object with a hanging adaptor attached thereto,according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a depiction of the hanger of FIG. 1 being attached to avertical surface, according to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a depiction the decorative object of FIG. 8 hanging on thehanger as depicted in FIG. 9, according to embodiments of the invention;and

FIG. 11 is a depiction of the hanger of FIG. 1 being removed from avertical surface, according to embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to a systemfor hanging an object onto a vertical surface, and in particular, butnot exclusively, to a hanger with a planar surface and a receptaclebelow the planar surface having a horizontal width narrower than thehorizontal width spanned by the planar surface.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents and/or methods set forth in the following description and/orillustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention iscapable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out invarious ways.

Referring to FIG. 1, hanger 10 is comprised of planar surface 12 andreceptacle 16 below planar surface 12. Planar surface 12 is oriented ina substantially rectangular shape, although other configurations arepossible. In the depicted embodiment, planar surface 12 includes visualindicators, in particular an arrow and the word “TOP,” to indicate thelocation of the top of the hanger when the hanger is hung on a verticalsurface. As used in the present disclosure, the term “above” or “up”refers to the direction towards the top of the hanger, as so indicatedin FIG. 1, and the term “down” or “below” refers to the oppositedirection. In addition, the planar surface may be considered to have a“first side,” which is not visible in FIG. 1, and to which an adhesivelayer is attached, and a “second” side, which is opposite the firstside, and which is visible in FIG. 1. Planar surface has a horizontalwidth extending along axis A.

Receptacle 16 is located below planar surface 12. Receptacle 16 iscentered along the horizontal width of the planar surface 12. Thehorizontal width of the receptacle 16 is narrower than the horizontalwidth spanned by the planar surface 12. Optionally, the horizontal widthof the planar surface 12 is at least twice as wide as the horizontalwidth of the receptacle 16.

Reinforcing braces 20 provide structural strength to receptacle 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, receptacle 16 has a substantiallycircular shape. This shape is configured to match the shape of a head ofa hanging adaptor, as will be discussed further herein. One advantage ofthe circular shape is that it is easy for a head of a hanging adaptor torotate freely within the receptacle 16, thereby allowing a user to alignthe angular orientation of the hanging adaptor after it is inserted intothe receptacle 16. In alternative embodiments, the shape of thereceptacle 16 can be polygonal, such as rectangular, or any othersuitable shape. In such embodiments, the alignment of the head withinthe receptacle 16 creates an axis, permitting horizontal calibration ofthe hanging adaptor after it is inserted in receptacle 16.

One or more elongated panels 18 extend between the planar surface 12 andthe receptacle 16. Panels 18 may also be referred to herein as rails.The panels 18 may extend the entire distance between the planar surface12 and the receptacle 16, as in the illustrated embodiment, or only aportion of that distance. The panels 18 are configured to restrain a rimof a head of a hanging adaptor placed along the planar surface 12, sothat lateral movement of the hanging adaptor is bounded by the panels18. In the illustrated embodiment, panels 18 comprise two panelsarranged in a tapering fashion, so as to define a channel 14 thatnarrows between the planar surface 12 and the receptacle 16. Thetapering channel 14 forms a guiding track that allows a user tointuitively lower the head of the hanging adaptor into the receptaclewithout requiring precise alignment of the hanging adaptor and thehanger 10.

Hanger 10 also includes tab 22 configured on a lower surface of thehanger 10, below the receptacle 16. Tab 22 is suitable for manualengagement, for example, when removing the hanger from a verticalsurface. For example, a user can raise the tab in an outward and upwarddirection, allowing for the adhesive to peel slowly off of the verticalsurface, which reduces potential damage to the vertical surface.

Hanger 10 also optionally includes groove 13. Groove 13 is orientedperpendicular to the horizontal axis A. When the hanging adaptor isattached to a vertical surface in a leveled position, groove 13 isoriented exactly vertically. Groove 13 thus serves as a visual aid to auser, to help identify whether hanger 10 is hung in a level fashion.However, even if hanger 10 is not hung level, a decorative objectattached to the hanging adaptor is still capable of being levelled whilehanging, as will be discussed further herein.

Hanger 10 may be constructed from any material suitable for carrying outthe functions described herein, including, without limitation, a plasticor polymeric material.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, head 24 of a hanging adapter 26 isschematically shown opposite planar surface 12. The hanging adapter 26is attachable to a decorative object that is to be hung on the verticalsurface, such as a painting, poster, canvas, or polystyrene foam walltile with a picture printed thereon. In the illustrated embodiment, thehead 24 is button-shaped, and thus is configured to cooperate withreceptacle 16.

The hanging adaptor may be comprised of a ball bearing, a slide bearing,or another material suitable for effecting a rotatable connection with adesirable amount of friction. In a preferred embodiment, the frictionbetween the head 24 and the receptacle 16 is sufficiently large toprevent automatic self-leveling caused by gravity. Such automaticself-leveling is undesirable, because any slight air movement wouldcause the decorative object to swing back and forth.

Referring now to FIG. 4, adhesive layer 11 extends along the horizontallength of the first side of the planar surface 12, at the top of thefirst side. Adhesive layer 11 may contain a removable adhesive, such asa pressure-sensitive adhesive, which is designed to be attachable to,and removable from, the vertical surface, without causing damage to thevertical surface. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is a low-peeladhesive.

The vertical length of the adhesive layer 11 may vary according to theweight of the object that is to be hung on the vertical surface. In theillustrated embodiment, the adhesive layer 11 extends substantiallyalong the entire planar surface 12. As discussed above, in a preferredembodiment, the planar surface 12 is at least twice as wide as thereceptacle 16. Advantageously, this width ensures that there issufficient adhesive across the horizontal span of the planar surface 12to support a decorative object, without requiring the adhesive layer 11to be permanent. The wide and high geometry of the adhesive layer 11compared to the hanging adaptor 26 ensures that there is sufficientadhesive to support the weight of a decorative object attached to thehanging adaptor, without requiring an overly strong adhesive that willdamage the wall. Due to the large surface area of the adhesive, a largeitem may be hung with even a low-peel adhesive.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the hanger 10 is shown with the head 24lowered within the receptacle 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the head24 is shown as being larger than the receptacle 16. In this embodiment,the head has a portion of a narrower diameter at a frontal portionthereof (not shown in FIG. 5) that inserts into receptacle 16. In theembodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the head is shown as fitting withinreceptacle 16. In addition, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the head 24 andreceptacle 16 are shown as being substantially rectangular, rather thancircular.

FIG. 8 depicts a hanging system including the hanger 10 and a decorativeblock 28 with hanging adaptor 26 attached thereto. In the view of FIG.8, the hanging adaptor is obscured by button 24. The hanging adaptor 26is attached to the decorative block 28 at a horizontally centeredposition. The horizontal centering of the hanging adaptor 26 ensuresthat when the head 24 is received within the receptacle 16, thedecorative block 28 is able to self-level with respect to a verticalsurface. Because of the free rotation of the button 24 within thereceptacle 16, the decorative block 28 is able to be leveled even if thehanger 10 is not hung level itself. In embodiments in which the head 24is not of a circular shape, the decorative block 28 is leveled throughcalibration around an axis of the head.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a process of attaching hanger 10 onto avertical surface 30, and hanging the decorative object 28 onto thehanger 10, according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIG.9, a user attaches the hanger 10 to vertical surface 30 by arranginghanger 10 against the vertical surface 30, and applying pressureopposite the adhesive layer. The user may use groove 13 to assist inlining up hanger 10 so that it is level, although, as stated above, thisis not essential for ensuring that the decorative object 28 is hunglevel.

After the hanger 10 is applied to the vertical surface 30, the userraises the decorative object 28 and places the head 24 of the hangingadapter 26 opposite the hanger 10. As can be seen in FIG. 10, thedecorative object 28 may be of sufficient dimension to block the user'sview of the hanger 10. However, the user may utilize the cooperation ofhead 24 with panels 18, in order to lower the head 24 into thereceptacle 16. In particular, in embodiments in which the panels 18 arearranged in a tapering fashion, the user can slide the head 24 along thetapering edges of panels 18 in order to situate the head 24 correctlywithin the receptacle 16.

Optionally, the user may then adjust the alignment of the decorativeobject 28 to level it with respect to the vertical surface. For suchlevelling, the user may rely on his or her estimation of the desiredalignment, or may use a tool such as a level.

Referring now to FIG. 11, to remove the hanger 10 from vertical surface30, the user grasps tab 22, and pulls tab 22 horizontally outward andupward from the vertical surface 30. Instead of the removal force beingtransferred directly onto the adhesive layer 11, the removal force isinitially applied to the tab 22. The removal force causes tab 22 to flexwhile the adhesive layer 11 remains completely attached to verticalsurface 30. Continued horizontal and upward movement causes thereceptacle 16 to flex, and then the planar surface 12 to flex. Thisflexing, in turn, causes the adhesive layer 11 to gradually peel off ofthe vertical surface 30, in a bottom-to-top direction. This gradualremoval helps prevent damage to the vertical surface.

Optionally, a flexible strip may be attached to the hanger 10 betweenadhesive layer 11 and planar surface 12. The flexible strip may besubstantially identical to the flexible strip disclosed in U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/958,340, entitled “Wall HangingDecorative Assembly Having a Flexible Strip With Removable Adhesive anda Non-Adhesive Gap,” filed Jan. 8, 2020, the contents of which areincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. The flexiblestrip may further reduce the stress on the vertical surface duringremoval of the hanger 10.

It is expected that during the life of a patent maturing from thisapplication many materials and configurations for forming a hangingadaptor, and many forms of permanent and removable adhesive, will bedeveloped that are suitable for the functions described herein, and thescope of the terms hanging adaptor and permanent and removable adhesiveis intended to include all such new technologies a priori.

As used herein the term “about” refers to ±10%.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having”and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”. This termencompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”.

The phrase “consisting essentially of” means that the composition ormethod may include additional ingredients and/or steps, but only if theadditional ingredients and/or steps do not materially alter the basicand novel characteristics of the claimed composition or method.

As used herein, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example,the term “a compound” or “at least one compound” may include a pluralityof compounds, including mixtures thereof.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance or illustration”. Any embodiment described as “exemplary” isnot necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments and/or to exclude the incorporation of features from otherembodiments.

The word “optionally” is used herein to mean “is provided in someembodiments and not provided in other embodiments”. Any particularembodiment of the invention may include a plurality of “optional”features unless such features conflict.

Throughout this application, various embodiments of this invention maybe presented in a range format. It should be understood that thedescription in range format is merely for convenience and brevity andshould not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be consideredto have specifically disclosed all the possible subranges as well asindividual numerical values within that range. For example, descriptionof a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have specificallydisclosed subranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6 etc., as well as individual numberswithin that range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This appliesregardless of the breadth of the range.

Whenever a numerical range is indicated herein, it is meant to includeany cited numeral (fractional or integral) within the indicated range.The phrases “ranging/ranges between” a first indicate number and asecond indicate number and “ranging/ranges from” a first indicate number“to” a second indicate number are used herein interchangeably and aremeant to include the first and second indicated numbers and all thefractional and integral numerals therebetween.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other describedembodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the contextof various embodiments are not to be considered essential features ofthose embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without thoseelements.

It is the intent of the applicant(s) that all publications, patents andpatent applications referred to in this specification are to beincorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, asif each individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually noted when referenced that it is to beincorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation oridentification of any reference in this application shall not beconstrued as an admission that such reference is available as prior artto the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used,they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. In addition, anypriority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its/their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hanger, comprising: a planar surface spanning ahorizontal width; an adhesive layer configured horizontally along anupper edge of a first side of the planar surface and attachable to avertical surface; a receptacle configured below the planar surface, andfitted to receive therein a head of a hanging adaptor below a secondside of the planar surface that is opposite the first side, such that,when the head is contained within the receptacle, the hanging adaptor iscentered along the horizontal width of the planar surface; and one ormore elongated panels extending between the planar surface and thereceptacle and configured to restrain a rim of the head of the hangingadaptor, such that a lateral movement of the hanging adaptor is boundedby the one or more elongated panels; wherein a horizontal width of thereceptacle is narrower than the horizontal width spanned by the planarsurface.
 2. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the one or more elongatedpanels comprise two panels arranged in a tapering fashion so as todefine a channel that narrows between the planar surface and thereceptacle.
 3. The hanger of claim 1, further comprising a tab formanual engagement configured on a lower surface of the hanger below thereceptacle.
 4. The hanger of claim 1, wherein the horizontal width ofthe planar surface is as least twice as wide as the horizontal width ofthe receptacle.
 5. A decorative block hanging system comprising: thehanger as defined in claim 1; and a decorative block having the hangingadaptor attached thereto at a horizontally centered position, such thatwhen the head of the hanging adaptor is received within the receptacle,the decorative block is alignable to be levelled with respect to thevertical surface.
 6. The decorative block hanging system of claim 5,wherein the head of the hanging adaptor is button-shaped.
 7. A methodcomprising: adhering an adhesive layer of a hanger to a verticalsurface, wherein the hanger comprises: a planar surface spanning ahorizontal width, with the adhesive layer configured horizontally alongan upper edge of the first side of the planar surface, a receptacleconfigured below the second side of the planar surface, and fitted toreceive therein a head of a hanging adaptor below a second side of theplanar surface that is opposite the first side, such that, when the headis contained within the receptacle, the hanging adaptor is centeredalong the horizontal width of the planar surface; and one or moreelongated panels mounted to restrain a rim of the head of the hangingadaptor, such that a lateral movement of the hanging adaptor is boundedby the one or more elongated panels; wherein a horizontal width of thereceptacle is narrower than the horizontal width spanned by the planarsurface; and hanging the head of the hanging adaptor within thereceptacle.
 8. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the one or moreelongated panels comprise two panels comprise two panels arranged in atapering fashion so as to define a channel that narrows between theplanar surface and the receptacle, and the hanging step compriseslowering the head of the hanging adaptor between the two panels.
 9. Themethod as defined in claim 7, wherein the hanger comprises a tab formanual engagement configured on a lower surface of the hanger below thereceptacle, and the method further comprises grasping the tab, raisingthe hanger element while grasping the tab, and thereby peeling theadhesive layer of the hanger element from the vertical surface.
 10. Themethod as defined in claim 7, wherein the horizontal width of the planarsurface is as least twice as wide as the horizontal width of thereceptacle.
 11. The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the hangingadaptor is attached to a decorative block at a horizontally centeredposition of the decorative block, such that, when the head of thehanging adaptor is received within the receptacle, the decorative blockis alignable to be levelled with respect to the vertical surface, andthe method further comprises leveling the decorative block.
 12. Themethod as defined in claim 7, wherein the head of the hanging adaptor isbutton-shaped.